Public infrastructure plays a key role in community wellbeing—and nowhere is this more evident than in facilities like toilet blocks, which need to be clean, safe, and accessible. The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council identified the need for a new community toilet block in Drage Reserve, Felixstow, to replace an outdated facility plagued by vandalism, graffiti, and limited functionality. With a proven track record in minor building works and infrastructure upgrades for local government, Plumbing & Pipeline Solutions (PPS) were engaged to deliver a long-term, community-focused solution.
The existing toilet block in Drage Reserve had become a concern due to extensive graffiti, loitering, and its inability to meet the needs of park users. The council required a replacement that would be more secure, accessible, and durable. Complicating the installation was the presence of large established trees and previously undocumented 300mm water mains running directly beneath the proposed construction site.
Partnering with PESBUILD, PPS undertook a thorough site inspection and located the underground services using advanced detection technology. Their in-house locator was able to identify the exact position of the water mains and provide updated service maps for council records—an essential step that helped avoid costly or damaging excavation errors.
To preserve surrounding tree roots and avoid disrupting the newly identified water infrastructure, PPS utilised hydro excavation—a non-destructive digging technique ideal for sensitive environments. This allowed the team to excavate safely and efficiently with minimal environmental impact.
In addition to plumbing works, PPS installed an automatic locking system to enhance safety and reduce instances of vandalism and loitering. Programmed to lock nightly from 8pm to 6am (with seasonal adjustments), this system was based on a successful model previously delivered for another metropolitan council.
The project was delivered efficiently, with community benefit at the forefront of every stage. The new facility is now open to the public, offering a clean, secure, and accessible amenity that is built to last up to 50 years. Thanks to the use of non-invasive excavation methods and smart access controls, the Drage Reserve toilet block is set to serve the community reliably and safely for decades to come.
